Hyderabad airport's second runway to be ready in three years

The second runway at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport here will be developed in three years, officials said on Tuesday.

GMR Hyderabad International Airport Limited (GHIAL), which operates the airport, on Tuesday sought the Telangana government's cooperation for building the second runway.

GHIAL officials told Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao that the existing runway and terminal will serve 2.5 crore passengers annually but there was a need for the second terminal and runway for future needs.

The Chief Minister, who held a review meeting on the airport's expansion as well as construction of the Airport City, directed officials to extend the required cooperation to the airport operator.

He said the Hyderabad Metro Rail should be extended to the airport and decided to hold a meeting with officials from GMR, Hyderabad Metro Rail and Larsen & Toubro in this regard.

Senior government officials, GMR Group Chairman Grandhi Mallikarjuna Rao, Airport Business Chairman Srinivas Bommidala, Business Chairman B.V.N. Rao, Airport CEO S.G.K. Kishore, Director Prasanna and others participated.

Mallikarjuna Rao presented a cheque for Rs 12.28 crore to the Chief Minister towards the state government's share of dividend (13 per cent) from the airport's earnings, a statement from the Chief Minister's Office said.

The GMR officials informed the Chief Minister that the airport, which started in 2008, has become one of the top airports in the world. As of date, the airport receives 400 flights daily and 1.70 crore passengers per annum.

Rao said that in view of the growing passenger traffic, the second runway and extension of the terminal should be planned.

He said the Airport City spread over 600 acres should have a convention hall to house 12,000 people, huge exhibition area, star hotels, malls, hospitals, gardens and ample parking to enhance the brand image of Hyderabad city.

--IANS

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